Next Game:
CBS - Houston
12/28/2024 | 6 p.m.
Dec. 28 (Sat) / 6 p.m.
CBS - Houston
History
ABILENE, Texas – Texas Southern men's basketball fell just short in the closing seconds despite playing shorthanded in a 69-65 loss at Abilene Christian on Saturday.
The Tigers entered Saturday's game minus several starters and contributors which took a toll on the team's depth. The Tigers would start out slow as five early turnovers and only two field goals within the first five minutes saw them fall behind 19-5. Josh Farmer would end the drought with a basket but the Wildcats would maintain a double digit lead until the 6:51 mark.
After the slow start, TSU would get its bearings and came roaring back with a 15-5 run to tie it at 34-all as Kavion McClain, who played at ACU last season, led the charge with eight points. However, ACU would answer with an 8-1 run for a 42-35 lead at the break.
TSU was within one possession on several occasions to open the second half but ACU had a 7-0 run which spanned three minutes to lead 55-45 at the 9:48 mark. Once again, TSU refused to back down as they turned the tide and pulled ahead 58-57 with 4:50 left courtesy of a 13-2 surge.
ACU reclaimed the lead on a layup in the paint and a moving pick violation was called on TSU followed by a foul on Zaire Hayes as he was attempting to secure a loose ball after an ACU missed three-pointer. ACU would move ahead 61-58 on another layup in the paint.
Hayes would drain a jumper off an inbounds play at the 3:27 mark to draw TSU within 61-60 but TSU post Kenny Hunter was whistled for his fifth and final foul on the ensuing possession despite his best effort to stay straight up in the paint. ACU would hit one-of-two free throws for a 62-60 lead but once again TSU was whistled for an untimely turnover as they were penalized for a 10-second call.
Despite the setback, McClain would come up with a steal and Kolby Granger would draw a foul on a putback attempt. He would hit 1-of-2 free throws to tie it at 62-all with 2:35 left. TSU would force an ACU miss on its next attempt but was whistled for an offensive foul with 2:05 left.
The Wildcats would get a seal in the paint and score for a 64-61 lead. McClain answered with two free throws to draw TSU within 64-63. After a pair of missed baskets by both teams, McClain found Hayes on a runout with 47.2 seconds left as TSU regained a 65-64 lead. With the shot clock winding down and 23.9 seconds left, ACU's Leonardo Bettiol once again received the ball deep in the paint and scored to move them ahead.
TSU had a chance to move ahead but missed the go-ahead attempt and was forced to foul to save clock. ACU would connect on the first end of the 1-and-1 but came up with an offensive rebound on the second attempt which led to a pair of free throws and a two-possession lead.
McClain led TSU with 19 points while grabbing seven rebounds. Hayes followed with 17 while Kenny Hunter added 10 with six rebounds and two blocks. Kolby Granger grabbed 10 rebounds with eight points.
TSU is back in action after the Christmas Break on Saturday, Dec. 28 against CBS Houston at 6 p.m. inside the H&PE Arena.
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Source: https://tsusports.com/news/2024/12/...all-in-tight-affair-at-abilene-christian.aspx